“Articles” collection
Access a diverse collection of expert-led technology reviews, step-by-step tutorials, and insightful commentary on the intersection of modern tech and family life. This hub serves as the primary source for hands-on evaluations and practical advice designed to help you navigate the digital world with confidence.
October 25, 2011
How Ford is Saving Teenage Lives, One Person at a Time – “Driving Skills for Life”
I'm scared. In 1 year, I will have a teenager. In 4 years, I will have a teenage driver. And I have two more daughters after that. Just writing the past few sentences has given me a few more grey hairs. While automobile safety has improved dramatically over the past few years, so have distractions. It's a leapfrog race to…
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October 17, 2011
iOS 5 Tips: Cell Data for Purchases, Custom Vibrations and Hourly Weather
Last week I talked about a few new tidbits and tricks in Apple's new version of its mobile operating system, iOS 5 (enable Emoji keyboard, get the camera button to appear in the lock screen and how to launch the new built-in dictionary). I have 3 more pretty cool little tips and tricks this time around, namely: cellular data for…
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October 14, 2011
iOS 5 Tip: How to Enable the “Smiley” Emoticon or Emoji Keyboard in iOS 5
Here is another great (and fun) feature that is buried deep within iOS 5 for the iPhone and iPad. And, when I showed this to my daughters, they were SO excited about it! We all love emoticons or "smileys" as many people call them. Well, now you can actually activate an "international" keyboard that contains literally a hundred different graphical…
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October 6, 2011
Getting Saucy on Cast of Dads Episode #45 “Dads CAN Cook Even When Sauced”
We had quite a few topics stewing to be discussed on Cast of Dads Episode #45 "Dads CAN Cook Even When Sauced". For starters, we had a conversation about a social media campaign that tried to use modern day social media tactics but using a very old and outdated stereotype, that of Dads not being able to cook and having…
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October 5, 2011
R.I.P. Steve Jobs – Your Inspiration Lives On
When Steve Jobs spoke, people listened. When he innovated, markets changed. When he had an idea, it was perfect. And now when he quietly leaves this world, we remember his incredible accomplishments as a leader, visionary and individual. In 2005, Mr. Jobs addressed the graduating class at Stanford University. He knew that his time was limited, but this did not…
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October 4, 2011
D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Wireless Router – Advanced Configurations & Stability at an Attractive Price
I love WiFi routers. I'm not sure why. But I have about 3 or 4 of them running in my house. Some are providing WiFi networks for all of the people in the family and the other connected devices as well, while others are set up as back-up or private, and only used occasionally. I probably have a lot of…
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September 26, 2011
Waging War on Pollen, Dust, Bacteria, Mold, Germs & More with the Honeywell Air Purifier HHT-145
Sneezing, coughing and runny noses as night. Itchy eyes with tears being squeezed out. My daughters have had allergies all spring and summer and it was particularly worse this year because of the longer rainy season and the larger amounts of pollen in the air. So I brought some big air defense weaponry in to battle these tiny, annoying irritants,…
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September 23, 2011
A Tablet for Babies? The VINCI Tablet Gives Toddlers a Jump Start on Touchscreens
A few weeks ago I received a pre-production version of a new tablet targeted toward children ages 2-4 or so called the "VINCI Tab". I had been dying to review an Android-based tablet, but the VINCI threw me for an unexpected curve. It really is not what you might expect. While it is technically a tablet, it is really a…
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September 19, 2011
The Schizophrenia that is Netflix…er…Qwikster…uh…Netster…QwikFlix?
I have been a Netflix user for many many years. My account says 2007 but I actually started my service before that time, stopped and then restarted it. My family finds Netflix to be indispensable and we use both services, streaming and physical DVDs regularly. Every TV in our house has access to Netflix, in fact, we did some "cord…
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September 19, 2011
“Mother Nature is in a Bad Mood” – Cast of Dads Episode #44
Ok, school has started for most of us and I realize that we have some homework to do. That is, the Cast of Dads do since we seem to be sputtering along trying to get back into a regular recording groove. "The dog ate my homework" isn't going to work for us. Maybe, "we just had an earthquake" or "we…
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September 14, 2011
There’s an Ocean of Knowledge Out There, Be a Sponge!
What is filled with holes but still holds water? Yes, you got it, a sponge. Sponges are pretty amazing creatures. They live and grow in the water, and when they are dead, they can be used to carry water. People once thought that they were plants, we now know that they are basically simple animals. I read that some sponges…
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September 12, 2011
Moshi’s USB to Ethernet Adapter Makes the MacBook Air Even More Perfect
As I write this post on my Apple MacBook Air, I really struggle to think of things that would make it better. It's pretty much a near-perfect laptop in my opinion. It's lightweight, fast and has a good battery-life. It's a bit pricey but it seems to be holding its own pretty well within this new "Ultrabook" space. Honestly, I…
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